Quinnipiac: Hillary Leads in Pennsylvania for President

Presumed 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is leading all possible GOP rivals in the critical swing state of Pennsylvania in an early look at the race for the White House, a new poll has found.

The poll, conducted by Quinnipiac University from May 29-June 2, shows the former secretary of state with a lead over New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie of 45 percent to 41 percent. Among women, she leads by 51 percent to 37 percent, while men favor Christie at 45 percent to 38 percent.

The survey of 1,308 registered voters also found that Clinton has an even wider lead over every other potential GOP nominee.

In a match-up with Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, Clinton would have a lead of 51 percent compared to 37 percent for Paul. In a race against Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee or Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Clinton would hold 51 percent support, while Huckabee would trail at 36 percent and Bush at 35 percent.

The lead is slightly narrower if the match-up is with former GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan. Clinton would have 50 percent support compared to Ryan at 38 percent.

"While hope for the presidency may be a bridge too far for New Jersey Gov. Christopher Christie, other Republican White House hopefuls are finding even less traction when matched against Secretary Hillary Clinton," Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, said in a statement.

The poll also found that President Barack Obama's approval rating continues to be in the negative in Pennsylvania, at 44 percent compared to 53 percent. In the February poll, his approval rating was negative 42 percent compared to 54 percent.

Women in the state tend to be more divided about Obama's job performance at 47 percent compared to 48 percent. Men, meanwhile, give Obama a 40 percent approval rating compared to 58 percent who disapprove.

"President Barack Obama gets the smallest of approval bumps in Pennsylvania but, as is the case in every state where Quinnipiac University conducts surveys, he continues to wallow in the weeds," Malloy said.